Handling Pre-Startup Jitters

Officially calling your business a business is difficult. Even more difficult is actually starting one. There will be fears that what you offer may not succeed. There will be doubts on the viability of the venture. There will be worries about the many challenges that you will surely encounter along the way. Starting any business takes a lot of courage. You just need to know how to handle the jitters.

First Hurdle: YourselfThroughout your business planning you would encounter at least one person who would say “this is not going to work” and how “this is bound to fail.” Yes, in everything new there will be fears, there will be struggles, and there will always be the lingering feeling of doom and failure. There will be unknowns that you cannot control completely, and there will be surprises after every turn. Before holding back, ask yourself why you are so afraid. Then, determine what actions and safety nets you could cast should your fears come into realisation. Don’t listen to the naysayers and just prepare for all the possible outcomes that may come your way.

Should your struggle seem dire, just think of this: “That’s what I’ve been preparing for.” Keep pushing forward. All you can do as a startup is to prepare — be ready for anything, and then go with the flow. Beginning from scratch will entail the need to be very flexible in solving problems and speedbumps. This doesn’t mean to aim blindly, but rather, to simply be strategic with all the decisions you have to make.

Second Hurdle: Your EnvironmentSafe zones are called such for a reason. A safe zone is an indestructible bubble of safety, warmth, and good memories. If you are one who always has a foot inside this zone, then a change in lifestyle will be needed for your business to gain traction. Being comfortable with change is key to generating new ideas for your startup.

The idea is to break out of your shell and start talking to potential clients and partners big or small. Compare business models, ask for tips, question methods and strategies to gain a better understanding of how businesses became successful. Don’t forget to also ask those who failed — they have the best lessons on what to avoid and prepare for. This behavior can further be enforced through changing your daily habits — try a new dish you’ve been meaning to taste, get into an extreme sport, or join a book club — anything to get you to step out of your comfort zone.

Final Hurdle: Support GroupBefore finally showcasing your startup in crowdfunding site or telling investors how your product or services can best benefit the good of society, try tossing the idea around with friends and family members to try and get insights from different backgrounds. The objective here is to be able to refine the idea and improve on the draft, plus gain encouragement and support from those you draw inspiration from.

Telling people about that next great thing helps with pitching to clients and investors. You will eventually need to adjust to different levels of understanding when it comes to discussing technicalities. Explaining your idea clearly solves the question of whether you will gain backing of those that can get you started.

FinallyStarting up will be challenging. More often than not, veering away from actualizing ideas is borne from some sort of fear. Fears will always be present, no matter the cause and level of complexity. The goal is not to overcome them but to keep them in check. It is very humbling to be reminded of these once in a while.

After taking that big leap, you will realize that there was nothing to be afraid of. Many have tried and succeeded. Who’s to say that you won’t?